Alert archive / South Carolina / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 6, NWS Charleston, SC
NWS Charleston, SC issued this flash flood warning at Jul 10, 2026, 6:44 PM EDT for Charleston County, South Carolina. It was in force for 45 min. 3 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.
The facts
- Issued
- Jul 10, 2026, 6:44 PM EDT (22:44 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 10, 2026, 7:29 PM EDT
- In force
- 45 min
- Issued by
- NWS Charleston, SC
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- None
County Charleston County, SC
The radar
The Charleston,SC radar (KCLX), 103 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:44 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
What was reported inside it
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 10, 6:50 PM EDT | FLASH FLOOD | Charleston, SC | Emergency Manager reported Calhoun Street between Smith and Rutledge Avenue closed due to flooding. |
| Jul 10, 6:50 PM EDT | FLASH FLOOD | Charleston, SC | Emergency Manager reported Calhoun Street between Smith Street and Rutledge Avenue is closed due to flooding. |
| Jul 10, 7:15 PM EDT | FLASH FLOOD | Charleston, SC | A City of Charleston inundation depth gage located on Ogier Street near Calhoun Street measured a peak inundation of 1.15 feet. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
Did it verify
Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 3 storm reports to this flash flood warning; the first came 6 minutes after it went out.
Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.
The nearest sounding before it
Charleston AFB, SC (KCHS), launched 12:00Z, 10.7 hours before the alert went out and 14 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 512 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -96 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1300 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 20 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 30 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 70 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.2
The text
As transmitted.
553
WGUS52 KCHS 102244
FFWCHS
SCC019-110145-
/O.NEW.KCHS.FF.W.0006.260710T2244Z-260711T0145Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Charleston SC
644 PM EDT Fri Jul 10 2026
The National Weather Service in Charleston has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Charleston County in southeastern South Carolina...
* Until 945 PM EDT.
* At 644 PM EDT, emergency management reported thunderstorms
producing heavy rain in Downtown Charleston. Between 1 and 2 inches
of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches
are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is already
occurring.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Emergency management reported.
IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
drainage and low-lying areas.
* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Downtown Charleston, West Ashley, Medical University Of South
Carolina, Marion Square, Columbus Street Terminal and The Citadel.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.
High tide will inhibit runoff of heavy rain, flooding areas of poor
drainage in Downtown Charleston. Areas most prone to flooding include
the Market, Crosstown, East Bay Street and Morrison Drive.
&&
LAT...LON 3277 7995 3277 7996 3278 7997 3280 7997
3281 7996 3281 7992 3277 7992
FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED
$$
Black1 follow-up statement
804
WGUS72 KCHS 102329
FFSCHS
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
729 PM EDT Fri Jul 10 2026
SCC019-102339-
/O.CAN.KCHS.FF.W.0006.000000T0000Z-260711T0145Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Charleston SC-
729 PM EDT Fri Jul 10 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR CHARLESTON COUNTY...
Flood waters have receded. The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no
longer expected to pose a threat. Please continue to heed remaining
road closures.
&&
LAT...LON 3277 7995 3277 7996 3278 7997 3280 7997
3281 7996 3281 7992 3277 7992
$$
BlackWhat forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Charleston, SC wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Jul 10, 2:33 PM EDT, 4 hours 11 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- 1) Hot and humid conditions will continue through Saturday. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon and evening, and again on Saturday. A few strong to severe storms will be possible, with damaging wind gusts being the primary threat.
- 2) Rain chances and thunderstorm coverage expected to increase Sunday through Tuesday.
- 3) Coastal flooding is possible with the evening high tide from Sunday through Wednesday.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 10, 2:33 PM EDT, 4 hours 11 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Charleston SC
233 PM EDT Fri Jul 10 2026
.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
All sections have been updated.
&&
.KEY MESSAGES...
- 1) Hot and humid conditions will continue through Saturday.
Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop
this afternoon and evening, and again on Saturday. A few
strong to severe storms will be possible, with damaging wind
gusts being the primary threat.
- 2) Rain chances and thunderstorm coverage expected to
increase Sunday through Tuesday.
- 3) Coastal flooding is possible with the evening high tide
from Sunday through Wednesday.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1: Hot and humid conditions will continue through
Saturday. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected to
develop this afternoon and evening, and again on Saturday. A few
strong to severe storms will be possible, with damaging wind
gusts being the primary threat.
This afternoon and evening: Overall, the setup and conditions
are quite similar to Thursday. The modified 12z KCHS RAOB (using
98/73) MLCAPE on the order of 2,000-2,500 J/kg along with DCAPE
in the 1,000-1,200 J/kg range. The freezing level is a bit
lower than yesterday at ~15 kft and the -20C height is
essentially unchanged around 26.5 kft. We are once again going
to be dependent on surface heating and subtle gradients for
convective initiation, followed by boundary interactions and the
sea breeze. Surface winds are westerly, which will keep the sea
breeze more pinned and less progressive. Overall coverage
should be scattered at most, though locally higher where
boundary interactions help to drive multi-cell convection.
Damaging wind gusts will again be the primary threat, with some
potential for locally heavy rainfall as storm motion will be on
the order of 10-15 knots. Storms could begin to develop in the
early afternoon, but the potential will continue into the
evening after sunset depending on how boundaries evolve.
However, by the late evening convection should come to an end
and the rest of the overnight should be dry.
Saturday: Another very hot day with widespread highs into the
upper 90s (and a few triple digits) is expected. Dewpoints
inland of the coast should mix out a bit, potentially into the
upper 60s for much of the area and even a few mid 60s for
southeast GA. Once the sea breeze begins to move inland,
dewpoints will surge along with heat indices. It does appear
that the potential for heat indices of 108 or higher will become
increasingly confined to the coastal corridor.
Regarding thunderstorms, the coverage and environment looks
similar to the last few days. Moderate instability and high
DCAPE will yield an environment supportive of damaging wind
gusts in the strongest storms. Convection could start in the
early afternoon, but the sea breeze will be pinned closer to the
coast thanks to westerly surface flow. Once a few storms
develop and produce outflow boundaries, placement and strength
of storms will depend on the evolution of these boundaries.
Storms could continue through much of the evening until
dissipating and ending by midnight and thereafter.
KEY MESSAGE 2: Rain chances and thunderstorm coverage expected
to increase Sunday through Tuesday.
As noted in the previous discussion, will see a weak sfc low
pressure drift across Virginia/North Carolina before ejecting
into the Atlantic on Sunday. Meanwhile, it's attendant sfc cold
front is expected to gradually sag southeastward across the
region, resulting in increased chances for showers and
thunderstorms. While model consistency still remains rather
poor, there are a few models that develop another sfc low along
the front, moving it across our area Sunday night then pushing
offshore on Monday. If this were to happen, could certainly see
a bit more moisture pool across us, and thus result in more rain
- something to keep an eye on in the coming shifts. In terms of
severe weather, there will still be ample instability
(1500-2000 J/kg) to work with despite having cooler afternoon
highs. So, like days past, can't rule out seeing a few isolated
strong to severe thunderstorms, capable of producing damaging
winds, small hail, and frequent lightning. With astronomical
high tide of 6.44 ft MLLW occurring shortly after 7 PM, any
thunderstorm activity near the Charleston peninsula will also
lead to increased chances for impactful flooding.
Expect the aforementioned cold front to meander south of the
region heading into the new week, keeping periodic chances for
rainfall in the forecast through Tuesday. Afternoon highs during
this time should also be notably cooler, as temperatures only
rise into the upper 80s to low 90s. Unfortunately, this will be
short lived, as a building ridge causes highs to moderate back
into the low to mid 90s by the end of the week.
KEY MESSAGE 3: Coastal flooding is possible with the evening
high tide from Sunday through Wednesday.
Astronomical influences on tides will increase early next week,
with a lunar perigee on Monday and a New Moon on Tuesday. Minor
coastal flooding is possible across Charleston and coastal
Colleton Counties Sunday evening. Coastal flooding may increase
Monday through Wednesday with rising astro tides and onshore
winds. In addition, rainfall may overlap with the evening high
tide cycles, see Key Message 2 for additional details.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
The 18z TAF period begins with VFR conditions at KCHS, KJZI,
and KSAV. The main concern for the next 6-8 hours is the
potential for thunderstorms. Current thinking is that the best
chance of thunderstorm impacts will be at KCHS and KJZI based on
current shower and thunderstorm development and the look of the
cumulus field on satellite. Thunderstorms could be an issue
around KCHS and KJZI through about 00z. Brief MVFR or IFR
conditions will be possible, mainly due to visibility reductions
in moderate to heavy rain. Gusty winds will also be possible.
KSAV could also have some thunderstorm concerns, but we will
wait to see how storms evolve over the next few hours and handle
with amendments. Thunderstorm activity should dissipate by the
late evening hours and the rest of the overnight should be
quiet. Another round of storms will be possible Saturday, but
the best chances will be beyond the 18z TAF period.
Extended Aviation Outlook: Shower and thunderstorm coverage,
along with risks of associated restrictions, may increase Sunday
through Tuesday.
&&
.MARINE...
Through tonight: Much like the last couple of days, winds will
strengthen this afternoon with the onset of the sea breeze. This
will primarily impact the SC waters and Charleston Harbor,
where gusts into the 25-30 knot range are expected through the
evening. Therefore, a Small Craft Advisory has been issued for
Charleston Harbor through 10 pm and for the Charleston County
waters through 2 am. Winds will remain elevated through the
overnight, but should diminish enough to allow these advisories
to end. Seas will mostly average 2-4 feet, but could be up to 5
ft in the Charleston County waters near the 20 nm line. Also,
thunderstorms are expected to develop inland along the coast.
These storms could move out into the coastal waters and produce
frequent lightning and strong wind gusts this evening.
Saturday through Saturday night: Another round of elevated
southwest flow, with enhancement in the afternoon and evening
with the sea breeze. Winds should peak in the 15-20 knot range,
with some 25 knot gusts possible in the SC waters. Conditions
could become marginally supportive of a Small Craft Advisory in
the Charleston County waters and possibly even Charleston
Harbor. Seas should average 2-4 feet. Thunderstorms are again
expected to develop inland in the afternoon and evening hours.
These storms could impact the coast and the coastal waters
through the evening with frequent lightning and strong wind
gusts.
Sunday through Wednesday: A weak cold front to our north will
slowly sag across the region Sunday into Monday, causing winds
to become notably weaker. While winds look to start out westerly
Sunday, should see direction gradually turn more
north/northeasterly by early Monday morning. This trend is
expected to continue for much of the upcoming week, with seas
generally ranging from 2 to 3 ft.
Rip Currents: A moderate risk for rip currents will remain
along the SC/GA coast Saturday. Conditions will feature 2-3 ft
swell with wave periods up to 9 seconds. In addition, SSW winds
will likely generate a moderate longshore current, possibly
supporting rip currents near piers and jetties.
&&
.CLIMATE...
Record High Temperatures:
July 10:
KCHS: 100/1986
KCXM: 99/1986
KSAV: 102/1879
July 11:
KCHS: 102/1986
KCXM: 100/2001
KSAV: 103/1980
Record High Minimum Temperatures:
July 10:
KCHS: 81/1986
KCXM: 82/1986
July 11:
KCHS: 80/2016
KCXM: 82/2016
July 12:
KCHS: 79/2020
&&
.CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...Heat Advisory until 7 PM EDT this evening for GAZ217>219-239-
241.
Heat Advisory from 11 AM to 7 PM EDT Saturday for GAZ217>219-
239-241.
SC...Heat Advisory until 7 PM EDT this evening for SCZ044-045-148-
149-151.
Heat Advisory from 11 AM to 7 PM EDT Saturday for SCZ045-
148>152.
Extreme Heat Warning until 7 PM EDT this evening for SCZ150-
152.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 10 PM EDT this evening for AMZ340.
Small Craft Advisory until 2 AM EDT Saturday for AMZ360.
&&In the hours before
Local storm report, Jul 10, 4:53 PM EDT, 1 hour 51 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston SC
453 PM EDT Fri Jul 10 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0325 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 NW Hanahan 32.94N 80.04W
07/10/2026 Charleston SC Public
Public reported a large tree branch down near the
entrance of the Northwoods Plaza via social media.
&&
Event Number CHS2600669
ACDLocal storm report, Jul 10, 5:01 PM EDT, 1 hour 43 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston SC
501 PM EDT Fri Jul 10 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0454 PM Rain 3 S Cainhoy 32.89N 79.84W
07/10/2026 M4.10 inch Charleston SC Public
A home weather station along Bending Oak Loop has
measured 4.10 inches of rain so far this afternoon.
0454 PM Rain 2 S Cainhoy 32.90N 79.83W
07/10/2026 M3.13 inch Charleston SC Public
A home weather station along Smokerise Way has measured
3.13 inches of rain so far this afternoon.
&&
Event Number CHS2600670
Event Number CHS2600671
BSHLocal storm report, Jul 10, 6:09 PM EDT, 35 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston SC
609 PM EDT Fri Jul 10 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0434 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Mount Pleasant 32.79N 79.87W
07/10/2026 Charleston SC Emergency Mngr
Emergency Manager reported a tree and powerlines down
near the intersection of Mccants and Simmons.
&&
Event Number CHS2600672
ACDSpecial weather statement, Jul 10, 6:32 PM EDT, 12 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
632 PM EDT Fri Jul 10 2026
SCZ043-044-102300-
Inland Colleton SC-Dorchester SC-
632 PM EDT Fri Jul 10 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT COLLETON AND DORCHESTER COUNTIES
UNTIL 7 PM EDT...
At 632 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Smoaks, moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Saint George, Reevesville, Smoaks, Canadys, Padgetts, Cat Hole,
Springtown, Old Saint George, Grover and Hudsontown.
This includes I-95 in South Carolina between mile markers 67 and 83.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards, TV or your local news
source for the latest information from the National Weather Service.
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3318 8079 3330 8057 3303 8055 3307 8089
3308 8089 3309 8088 3310 8088 3310 8089
3311 8089 3313 8090
TIME...MOT...LOC 2231Z 264DEG 23KT 3314 8084
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 TO 55 MPH
ACDLocal storm report, Jul 10, 6:36 PM EDT, 8 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston SC
636 PM EDT Fri Jul 10 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0610 PM Flood 1 NW Charleston 32.79N 79.95W
07/10/2026 Charleston SC Public
Public reported flooded roadways on Ashley Avenue
between Fishburne Street and Sumter Street via social
media.
&&
Event Number CHS2600673
ACDLocal storm report, Jul 10, 6:39 PM EDT, 5 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston SC
639 PM EDT Fri Jul 10 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0615 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 E Adams Run 32.72N 80.31W
07/10/2026 Charleston SC Emergency Mngr
Emergency Manager reported a tree down and power lines
down on the intersection of Highway 162 and Highway 164.
&&
Event Number CHS2600674
ACDThe office that day
Everything else NWS Charleston, SC issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 9, 8:46 PM EDT | Special Marine Warning | CHS | 59 min | |
| Jul 10, 2:16 PM EDT | Heat Advisory | CHS | Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Jasper | 29 hr |
| Jul 10, 2:21 PM EDT | Small Craft Advisory | CHS | 6 hr | |
| Jul 10, 2:57 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CHS | Charleston | 33 min |
| Jul 10, 3:05 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CHS | Berkeley, Charleston | 25 min |
| Jul 10, 3:20 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CHS | Georgetown | 25 min |
| Jul 10, 3:33 PM EDT | Special Marine Warning | CHS | 57 min | |
| Jul 10, 3:43 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | CHS | Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester | 3 hr |
| Jul 10, 4:13 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | CHS | Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester | 2 hr |
| Jul 10, 6:10 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CHS | Charleston, Colleton | 22 min |
| Jul 10, 6:24 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | CHS | Charleston | 65 min |
| Jul 10, 6:30 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CHS | Berkeley, Dorchester | 45 min |
| Jul 10, 6:32 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CHS | Bamberg | 28 min |
| Jul 10, 6:57 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CHS | Colleton, Dorchester | 33 min |
| Jul 10, 7:11 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CHS | Berkeley | 34 min |
Nearby
Flash Flood Warnings in South Carolina, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.